Cesc Fàbregas has said that Chelsea manager José Mourinho has made him feel he is a very important part of the team.

The Spanish international joined the Premier League side from Barcelona over the summer where he had previously been in and out of the La Liga giants’ side as well as playing in several positions.

José Mourinho has give the former-Arsenal captain a role in the middle of the pitch to create chances for his teammates, as well as striding forward and getting into goalscoring positions himself.

Fàbregas has hit the ground running with one goal and seven assists in his first eight Premier League matches as Chelsea have taken 22 of a possible 24 points to start the 2014-15 season.

The 27-year old told Spanish newspaper AS:

“I felt valued when I spoke with the coach (José Mourinho).  He made it feel I was important to the team.

“The signings of Diego Costa, Filipe Luís, Courtois and Didier Drogba made it a very interesting project that already had players like Oscar, Hazard, Cahill, Azpilicueta… It was a project that made ​​me feel really good to come here and face a new challenge in my life and in my career and hope it goes well.”

Chelsea face Slovenian outfit Maribor in their third match of this season’s UEFA Champions League.  On Sunday they go to Manchester United where they look to maintain or extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.